Acupressure

What is Acupressure

Acupressure is an ancient Chinese healing art using the hands and fingers to skillfully press certain points of the body to stimulate the body's natural healing functions.

More than 5,000 years ago, the Chinese discovered that pressing certain points on the body could help to relieve pain, release tension, and promote circulation. It could also help to enhance the body's energy balance which was believed to be an importance aspect in healing process.

Acupressure Points and Meridian Channels

Acupressure was practiced for healing long before acupuncture. Acupuncture uses needles, while acupressure uses hands. Both share the same acupoints along the JingLuo system through which the Qi energy flows. JingLuo has been translated into English as meridian channels.

There are 360 main acupuncture points along the 12 main meridian channels. Around 100 points or so can be easily accessed for palpation. The points are selected based on the JingLuo theory. Each pair of related two channels work together to keep a balance.

1. Gall Bladder Channel
2. Liver Channel

3. Lung Channel
4. Large Intestine Channel

5. Stomach Channel
6. Spleen Channel

7. Heart Channel
8. Small Intestine Channel

9. Bladder Channel
10. Kidney Channel

11. Pericardium Channel(心包经)
12. Triple Heater Channel(三焦经)

Effects of Acupressure through JingLuo and Acupoints

The effect of Acupressure is similar to acupuncture. It is widely used to treat general discomfort in many areas. It is believed to help the body to heal through stimulating the circulating system, endocrine system, nervous system, digestion system, respiratory system, and muscular system.

Research on JingLuo and acupoints were done by Shanghai Fu Dan University, Shanghai Bao Shan Acupuncture Hospital, Shanghai Sixth People’s Hospital, Second Army Medical School, and Shanghai Chinese Medical School. MRI, CAT scanners, and autopsies were used in the research.
The discoveries on the characteristics of JingLuo and acupoints are :
1. JingLuo and acupoints are complex structures, aggregates of connective tissues, lymph ducts, blood vessels and nerves that possess complex biological functions.
2. The connective tissues deep under the acupoints contain larger amount of the elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, zinc, manganese, chromium than other tissues. Among them, the amount of calcium is proportionally higher than in any other tissues except bones, about 10 to 100 times higher. Calcium ions are important messengers in the regulating the functions of the body.
3. The collagens in the connective tissue of JingLuo and acupoints are highly efficient in transmitting infrared signals. This suggests that the human body may possess an optical system that controls the functions of the body.

Application in Massage Practice

In practice, acupressure is often used as part of TuiNa therapy. Acupoints can be pressed alone or combined in a TuiNa massage session.

When I was working in office, a colleague was suffering from headache. I pressed a couple of points on her hand and neck for a couple of minutes, her headache was relieved and she could go back to work. This is a case of using limited acupoints to relieve pain.

In a TuiNa massage session, acupoints are often used to enhance the therapeutic effects. While massaging on the arms and hands, for example, HeGu (LI4) is often pressed for about 10-20 seconds or so as a general care.

Acupressure is convenient to be used for self-help when you have headache or minor discomfort. I will demonstrate in class during oral presentation.

As the ancient Chinese believed, our body is an extremely highly intelligent being. It is made to heal itself. Acupressure is to assist the body’s own healing mechanism. Having this understanding in mind, we should treat out body as a whole and cope with it according to its natural healing process.

Acupressure vs. Swedish Massage

Acupressure and Swedish massage cannot replace each other. Each has its unique characteristics. Acupressure is often used for pain management, while Swedish massage is well received for relaxation.

However, a blend of acupressure and Swedish massage when applied skillfully can present a whole new experience—relaxing and healing.